I'm not sure what you are asking? Front wheel bolt pattern is 5 x 4.5 If asking about the 8" differential vs 9" - they have the same number of retaining bolts. Look at the bottom 2 bolts. If you can get a socket on them it is an 8" - if you can only access these 2 bolts with a wrench, it is a 9". Hope this helps.
Driver that occasionally drag races. What does the c clip do? I am planning on buying a new center section for the 8.8 so I can have the gear I want and possi.
Same direction I am headed, mostly street with trips to the track (drag strip and autocross). The c-clip eliminator converts the axle to a press on bearing like the 9" uses, it's a much better setup than the stock 8.8. As far as a center section for the 8.8, they do not use a drop out like a 9" if that's what you're talking about by getting a new one. They are more like a Chevy 12 bolt with a rear cover.
So don't do what you would do with a 9 inch and buy a whole new 3rd member and just buy the ring, pinion, locker, and c clip eliminator separately?
FYI a C-CLIP eliminator is NOT available for a Explorer 8.8 rear axle. It is only available for the mustang 8.8 As for a complete 9" you can get a 66 mustang rear from quick time on ebay with any gear and a trac-loc for around $1800 it is only .75" wider 3/8" per side..
Is it really that bad of a weak point? Like I said before I’m pushing about 475 hp out of a 347 stroker. I want to know if it will handle it.
As in my post #2 and what mavgrab302, said, stick with the 9" from Quick Performance, it is brand new, complete, you can have Brydon manufacture to exact same dimensions (width) as our Mav/Comet (51 1/4", housing width flange to flange), axles, center section/gears, even have rear disc brakes installed! One other reason going for the 9", if you want to change out the gearing, you can easily remove the center section yourself, take into a shop and install new gears. With the 8.8, you have to take your car into the shop where it has to be removed and worked on. Back in the old days, many used to drive their cars to the track, pull out the center section, put in racing gears, do your racing. After finishing, would pull out racing gears and put back in street gears and drive back home! I did this as I could not afford a truck/trailer to go to the track. Not saying you have to do what I did, but using Ford 9" does have advantage of changing out center sections/gear ratio much easier/cheaper than 8.8, JMO......... Call and talk to him ask him what you would like and how much it will cost, then you can decide how you like to proceed. Good luck! David https://www.ebay.com/itm/Complete-9...hash=item5b3f93b51d:m:mxSQ1X-ztvmu6ZvjUcT-2jA
